"The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. This series highlights local, regional and national news in music education, as well as provide timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "The Week in Music Education," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

Note: This week will be my final "Fanfare" blog post as a MFA staff member. I begin a new journey next month in Los Angeles, where I'll be attending graduate school. It's been a pleasure bringing you music education and advocacy news for the past few months. Please be sure to stay tuned to the MFA Blog for advocacy news and more!–Seth

Last week, you may have heard about results from the latest Harris Poll that were promising for music education. According to those surveyed in the Poll, over three-quarters of Americans were involved in school music, an increase from a 2007 Harris Poll. More people surveyed also said that music education prepares students better for their careers and for problem solving. Some have speculated that the increased presence of music education in pop culture, including shows like "Glee," "The Voice," etc., have helped expand participation in school music. While many of these shows display a distorted view of what school music classes are really like, are they valuable advocacy tools?

When you think arts integration, or utilizing music, dance, theatre or visual art into core lesson plans, you may envision it only for elementary students, for making learning fun or interesting. Bucking that trend, Alexandra Pannoni from the U.S. News & World Report showed us three ways to incorporate music into high school classes in a recent article. From rap in an English class to music production in science and engineering classes, music is a universal, relatable vehicle for student learning. "We found that once we began to balance both the creativity and the academics, that their academics became more important to them," said a San Diego high school English teacher who utilized songwriting to assist in character analysis.

As schools across the nation begin to ring in a new year, its a perfect time for teachers to think about professional development, re-charging the batteries for a new school year. In this month's School Band & Orchestra Magazine, professional development was a big focus, including an article from Marcia Neel and the Music Achievement Council. One of the biggest takeaways in this article for me was the importance of engaging and inspiring students through setting goals, creating mottos and encouraging community service. SBO also featured an interview with MFA Summer Symposium faculty member and former Wando H.S. director Scott Rush. This year, Mr. Rush will serve as Director of Fine Arts for the Dorchester School District 2 in Summerville, SC. Scott Rush penned the valuable "Habits of a Successful Band Director."

I've been an Ingrid Michaelson fan for years, and her latest album, including the single "Girls Chase Boys Chase Girls," has finally brought her mainstream. Long a supporter of music education, Michaelson is giving back to her hometown in the form of quality music education through the VH1 Save the Music Foundation: "In 2012, I accompanied the VH1 Save the Music Foundation on a visit to a school in my Staten Island hometown. My heart melted not just because of the adorable kids, but also because I was so inspired by their talent and love for music. Seeing their faces light up as they walked into the music room, ready to place their tiny hands on newly donated musical instruments and start their music exploration, I decided to take a stronger stand on saving music education."

From Daniel Levitan's This Is Your Brain on Music to recent brain studies in the news, we know that listening and performing music is a great exercise for our brains. The folks famous for short, impactful speeches have created a new video, which displays the benefits of playing an instrument in an animated and entertaining way. The video emphasizes that while listening to music involved much brain activity, playing an instrument is akin to a full-body workout for your brain. The video also speaks to the number of qualities and personality traits in musicians, such as high executive function, which may explain why so many of our nation's business and community leaders played music. You can watch the video for yourself below:

"The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. This series highlights local, regional and national news in music education, as well as provide timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "The Week in Music Education," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

We brought you this story in April, but since then, Robbie Hanchey's inspiring story of promoting music education in a struggling rural school has made its way across the country. This month, the School Band & Orchestra magazine profiled him in their cover story. With about 600 students in the small Idaho school, Hanchey had very few resources to support a music program. After three years, Hanchey's relentless work to recruit studetns and build support paid off. He now has nearly 100 students participating in his junior/high school band program, out of 250 students in the junior/high school. "I like to think that we’re now a bright example of how you can find a way to provide music for these kids," said Hanchey. "I can’t even imagine these kids not having music because they love it so much. I see all my sixth through 12th graders and I wonder what these kids would do if they didn’t have this, because right now it’s all they do."

While you may get tired of the endless "listicles" on social media – from "10 Best Recipes" to "15 Books to Read This Summer" – I think we found a list you will enjoy, and use! The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has a new list of "20 Important Benefits of Music In Our Schools." From increased test scores, better work ethic and success beyond school, this list covers it all. When making the case for music education in your school, try focusing on just a few of the important benefits. If you feel you aren't making progress, you still have plenty of proven benefits to share. Be sure to find specific, personal examples of the benefits in action. Whether talking to a parent in your PTA or to an elected official, this is a great list to have in your back pocket.

First Lady Michelle Obama voiced her support for music and arts education last week at a Grammy Museum luncheon in Los Angeles. “For so many young people, arts education is the only reason they get up out of bed in the morning," said the First Lady. The luncheon honored musician Janelle Monae and Placentia school teacher Sunshine Cavalluzzi. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was also in attendance and spoke of how music has helped him, even while in office. A piano player as a kid, Garcetti recently moved his piano into his City Hall office so he can rejuvenate himself. “We all know what music does for our souls, and to our hearts, and to our minds," said Garcetti. You can view the full text of Michelle Obama's keynote speech here.

Cello superstar Yo-Yo Ma has been known recently for some unlikely collaborations, including the Silk Road Ensemble and his foray into hip-hop. Lately, he's connected with Lil Buck, a dancer who struggled to keep up in Memphis Public Schools until he found his passion. The "jookin" style is unique to Memphis, but Lil Buck has applied it to much of his work, including a 9-month run with Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson ONE." In this inspirational video, Lil Buck evokes the intense emotion in Saint-Saen's "The Swan" with unique, intense and seemingly effortless dancing.

"The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. This series highlights local, regional and national news in music education, as well as provide timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "The Week in Music Education," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

MFA Strategic Adovcacy Partner, the NAMM Foundation, debuted a new website last week, making valuable advocacy resources easier to access than ever. The redesign gives the website a fresh new look that will look great whether giving presentations, sending information to elected officials or encouraging your friends to join the cause for music education. Visit www.nammfoundation.org now to check out the new website. While you're there, go ahead and sign up for the next SupportMusic Coalition Webinar, held this Thursday, July 18, live from Summer NAMM! Tons of incredible educators, advocates and music industry professionals are lined up for the Webinar, including BOA adjudicator and Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Dr. Nola Jones; Mark Goff, President of Paige's Music, Official Music Store for the BOA Grand National Championships and other events, and Mark Despotakis from Progressive Music, a music store partner each year for the BOA Regional at Monroeville, PA.

The National Education Association (NEA), the largest labor union and professional organization for public school teachers, honored two music teachers at their Annual Meeting in Denver earlier this month. According to the National Association for Music Education, Jessica Fitzwater, an elementary music educator in Frederick, Maryland, was named 2014 Political Activist of the Year for her work puhsing for education funding in Frederick County. Princess Moss, a Virginia elementary music teacher was elected Secretary-Treasurer for the NEA's Executive Committee. According to the NEA, Princess has “has long championed bringing back music and fine arts education to America’s public schools.” Congratulations to Jessica and Princess!

Encore Music Lessons created one of my favorite new infographics: "Piano Lessons Are Good For You and Your Brain!" As a piano player myself, I didn't even recognize all of the benefits listed in this infographic. While "Piano lessons are good for your brain" may not be the most successful tactic when getting young children to practice daily, this infographic is a great resource when encouraging other parents to enroll their kids, or even advocating for piano lessons/classes in your school. You can download the full-size version of the infographic here.

Vortex Magazine featured "The State of Music Education" in Portland, Ore. this month and the results were a bit surprising. When I think of Portland, aside from the clever IFC series "Portlandia," I think of vibrant arts and music. In fact, Portland even boasts a $35-per-person "Arts Tax" to support the arts in Portland. Unfortunately, access to quality arts and music in Portland doesn't reach the elementary schools, where only 58% receive music instruction. This article does feature great arguments for music education in our schools, but we must also reach out to school administrators, elected officials and community leaders to ensure that Portland students have the opportunity to experience the power of music.

Many of us here in the "Lower 48" often forget about the United States' various territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, except maybe for vacations. United Jazz in the Virgin Islands sent several young jazz students to New York City to perform at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center last month with teacher and accomplished drummer Dion Parson. Students experienced the long tradition of jazz excellence and educational outreach at Jazz at Lincoln Center and performed for a captive audience on a stage that overlooks Central Park. Experiences like this not only are life-changing for the students, but provide visibility for underserved areas that have created innovated music education program such as United Jazz. You can check out local news coverage from the once-in-a-lifetime trip below.

"Fanfare: The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. Get your week started right with the latest news in music education, as well as timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "Fanfare," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

More than 150 music education leaders visited Washington D.C. last month as part of the National Association for Music Education's (NAfME) Hill Day 2014. Leaders and educators met with elected representatives to advocate for support of school music. Additionally, NAfME presented their "Stand 4 Music" Award to the Grammy-winning band Fun.'s Andrew Dost and hosted a panel discussion on art's role in STEM Education with the Congressional STEAM Caucus. The panel discussion featured NAfME President Glenn Nirman, Young Audiences Executive Director David Dik and Memphis City Schools Chair of Arts Education Dru Davidson. You can view the full panel discussion on the importance of the arts below.

My parents would be the first to tell you that they are not musical people. After all, it was me who had to beg my parents to start me on piano lessons in third grade. They were great sports in listening to my early piano practicing, then saxophone and French horn. But they also have taken a keen interest in music. For example, my dad, who grew up in rural Ohio without much access to classical music, now really enjoys the big, symphonic orchestral works like the Mahler Symphonies. Author of The Music Parents' Survival Guide Amy Nathan recently described the many benefits of being a music parent. While we mainly think of the benefits to the child learning music, the parents also expand their horizons, try something new and connect to their children. So if you're a music student, go ahead and say "You're Welcome!" to your parents – but be sure to thank them as well for supporting your passion.

We've featured several El Sistema-related programs in "Fanfare," which displays the extracurricular and community support music instruction is receiving across the country. When schools are unable to provide quality music education, organizations like Upbeat NYC provide musical opportunities for students. This in-depth article from the New York Times describes the impact Upbeat NYC has had on many families: “They also develop teamwork, discipline, perseverance, empathy and problem solving — critical life skills for finding success in any career they choose to follow,” said Mike Fitelson, executive director of the United Palace of Cultural Arts. “But who knows — perhaps there is a Mozart-like virtuoso, or a Bernstein-like maestro, hiding in their midst.”

While this blog primarily focuses on the state of music education in the United States, I can't help buy feel for our friends across the pond in the U.K. In wake of austerity measures and budget cuts, the arts have taken a serious hit throughout the country. Programs like the BBC's Ten Pieces are attempting to keep the U.K.'s long tradition of musical excellence alive, but many advocates want more to ensure students have access to music education. This Guardian article explains the struggles in the U.K. and points to some possibility for progress.

Earlier this year, the Grammy Foundation posted several videos featuring prominent music artists describing how music impacted them. From Ariana Grande to Tierny Sutton, many artists participated in school music as a child and today are advocating for its importance. The Grammy Foundation produced the videos to promote their Grammy Music Educator Award, currently in the Quarterfinal stages. These short video snippets can also be used as resources for your own community. Whether recruiting young students to participate in music making or to display to the public music's importance. These videos can be a great resource for any music advocate. Below is a video from "The X-Factor" Third Season Champions, Alex and Sierra.

"Fanfare: The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. Get your week started right with the latest news in music education, as well as timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "Fanfare," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

Greetings from the Music for All Summer Symposium! After a successful Leadership Weekend Experience, all 1,200 students and directors are now on campus to begin the weeklong summer music camp at Ball State University. Like we have covered in this blog previously, demonstrating examples of music's impact on children through "advocacy in action" is a great way to support your music program and ensure that music education remains a core component of scholastic education. We'll be sharing inspiring stories all week on the MFA Blog and MFA social media pages, so stay connected! And now back to this week's news in music education and advocacy:

NAfME members will be in Washington, D.C. later this week advocating for federal support of music education and STEAM. On June 26, NAfME, in cooperation with the Congressional STEAM Caucus, will host "Music Education Powers STEAM." The STEAM Caucus was created by Rep. Susan Bonamici (D-OR) and Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) last year to promote the arts as an integral part of scholastic education, alongside science, technology, engineering and math.

At the John K. Lazares Alternative School near Lebanon, Ohio, had the unique opportunity to fuse music and science instruction by learning how to build an electric guitar. Local college, Sinclair Community College, participated in a National Science Foundation-funded project that encourages science study through music. “Students relate to guitars, and they see the relevance of their STEM education classes as they get real, hands-on experience," said Thomas Singer, head of the STEM Guitar Project. By providing the project in a school with at-risk students, the program not only provided excitement for music and science, but also exposed students to new careers involving science and the arts.

As a former participant in both a competitive and a non-competitive marching band, I found myself at the middle of many arguments on competitive philosophies. This article takes an interesting look in the transition from competitive marching band to non-competitive. Either way, marching bands are often the most visible group in the music program, sometimes even the school. They represent the school in parades, at games, and at band events. It will be fascinating to watch these schools and see how the non-competitive environment affects performance, student success and student interest.

List-based articles have become quite common in the past year, but this is one I can advocate for. "Dad's Roundtable" is a popular parenting blog that posted an article supporting music classes in the spring. The list provides a fun perspective on how music can help our students do better in school.

The best way to advocate for music education is the lead by example. At the Leadership Weekend Experience this weekend, close to 500 student leaders learned how to better serve their own music programs and inspire their fellow musicians to work harder through that same servant leadership model. In each session that I attended, I was blown away by the intensity, passion and leadership potential that so many of the students embodied. I'm much more confident in the success of our world with these kids at the helm. Read this blog post from fellow MFA staffer Mackenzie Ziegler about her very first Leadership Weekend Experience!

"Fanfare: The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. Get your week started right with the latest news in music education, as well as timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "Fanfare," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

As most of us have likely experienced firsthand, music teachers are inherently creative people. New York professional-pianist-turned-music-educator Adam Goldberg has taken creativity in the classroom to a whole new level. He discovered a way to serve students with disabilities that expands the boundaries of music education. Goldberg uses tablet computers to allow kids with challenges the opportunity to play and enjoy music. "We have some really, really low-functioning students who I could never really involve in the music activities," Goldberg says. "But the iPad has pretty much taken care of that. I can't say I have 100 percent involvement. But it's pretty close." Students use keyboard, guitar shredder, recording and other apps on the tablets to create and produce music, which would not normally be possible with acoustic instruments. This report from NPR's "Morning Edition" is worth a listen below, where you can hear inspiring stories of achievement as well as some of the tablet-created music.

New research published earlier this month in Pacific Standard reported that music classes continued to serve students despite fears that "No Child Left Behind" would reduce access. "It should be heartening for most music teachers to learn that a core group of just over one-third of all U.S. high school students, for nearly 30 years, has consistently chosen to enroll in a music class," said researcher Kenneth Elpus. There was also troubling news in the study, which tracked 9th through 12th-grade music class enrollemnt from 1982 to 2009. The report showed under-representation in Hispanic students, students with Individualised Education Plans and English Language Learner students. Advocacy efforts among teachers, parents, administrators and the music industry have been effective at keeping music strong in our schools; however, we have work to do. Visit the Advocacy portion of our website for tolls and resources to advocate for music education.

Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Obama's appointment to chair the National Endowment for the Arts – Jane Chu. Chu previously helped build and run Kansas City's stunning new performing arts center, the Kauffman Center. Chu succeeds Broadway producer Rocco Landesman, who left the NEA in December, 2012. As chair of the NEA, Chu will become the face of the arts and public funding for the arts in the U.S. Music for All is proud recipient of several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts over the past few years. Since its founding in 1965, the Endowment has provided over $5 billion in public support for the arts.

Across the pond, the British Broadcasting Company just launched a new music education initiative to introduce young students to classical music, harnessing the creativity found in classical music to inspire children. The program selected 10 pieces across the classical music spectrum to provide an entry point to classical music for primary school students. BBC will utilize workshops and performances in schools to promote the program, utilizing the BBC Orchestras and Singers. While very similar to other symphony concerts for children, the nationally-based program displays the UK's commitment to music in schools. The list – found here – ranges from Handel to Stravinsky, and even a new percussion piece from young composer Anna Meredith. As a horn player, I'm thrilled that Mozart's 4th Horn Concerto is well represented, but the pianist in me is searching for a Bach piece on the list. What are your thoughts of the list?

This summer, the world has turned its attention to Brazil for the 2016 FIFA World Cup. Just here in the MFA office, I've noticed a few staffers catching up on the world's most watched sporting event (yes, even more viewership than the Olympics) while making final preparations for the MFA Summer Symposium. All the attention the World Cup receives is a boon for marketers across the world, and they're using music to connect the global marketplace. "The World Cup is universal. Music is universal too," said Joe Belliotti, director of global entertainment marketing at Coca-Cola, in a recent AP article. "And if you can find that simple melody and simple lyrical idea that can translate and connect with people around the world, that's the formula we strive for." Coca-Cola has created a song, "The World is Ours," and translated the song for 32 countries, featuring local artists. Those 32 versions have hit Top 10 charts in 40 countries, connecting and engaging with millions of customers. If you're more into the classical fare, opera superstar Placido Domingo will be performing before the World Cup finale on July 13, continuing his 30+ year tradition of performing at the sporting event.

"Fanfare: The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. Get your week started right with the latest news in music education, as well as timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "Fanfare," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

During a webinar last week, the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards, a think tank of arts educators, administrators and national arts leadership organizations, released the first update to national arts standards in 14 years. The National Core Arts Standards will help arts educators across the country provide the high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment required for student success. In the latest update, the Standards introduce grade-by-grade standards and implementation support materials to assist educators and schools to apply the new standards. The National Standards additionally place an increased focus on technology’s role in the class room, even introducing a fifth artistic discipline: media arts. Over 6,000 teachers and partners were involved in the review and editing process of the Core Arts Standards through several public review sessions. To view the new standards and learn how the standards will be adopted in your state, visit www.nationalartsstandards.org.

As many students begin their summer vacation this week, they are likely excited for sleeping in and a lack of school work. While you can argue either side of a structure-free summer or a summer of continued learning, the Des Plaines Parks Department in Illinois explains the music instruction is an excellent way to fight the "summer slide" and provide a fun, but structured and educational experience. "The skills learned through the discipline of studying a musical instrument will transfer to study skills, communication skills, and cognitive skills useful in every part of the academic curriculum, especially math and reading," said the Des Plaines Parks Department in a Chicago Tribune Op-Ed. All shameless self-promotion aside, Music for All offers an incredible weeklong summer camp experience at the Summer Symposium later this month. Students can hone their skills in one of seven divisions June 23-28 at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

This moving testament to the impact of music education was published by CNN last year, but is a powerful and timeless resource for music advocates. From proven classroom benefits to the creativity required for an entrepreneur like the author, Andrew Schwartz, this article provides numerous anecdotes that you could use yourself when advocating for music education. Personal reflections like this are integral, in addition to impactful stats and figures, to ensuring music's place in the core curriculum. If you have a personal reflection in how music impacted you, we'd love to hear it!

Last week, NAMM, MFA Strategic Advocacy Partner and the national trade association for music manufacturers and merchants, released instrument sales figures – and there is good news! The rise in instrument sales reflects support for school band and orchestra programs. “We note that while the economy affected many segments, school music held steady,” said Hal Leonard Vice President of Instrumental Publications Paul Lavender. Sales figures from NAMM provide a accurate portrait of the school band and orchestra climate, and continued music advocacy and awareness are important to the school music climate. All of us must actively advocate for school music to ensure that we continue this positive trend and increase access and opportunity to music making.

You may have noticed in my bio that in addition my passion for music education, I also have a strong interest Broadway theatre. That being said, I'll take any opportunity to combine my passion for music education and advocacy with Broadway, and last night's Tony Awards are a perfect place to start. This year's Awards included a special performance featuring Carole King and an interesting-but-slighty-awkward performance of "Rock Island" from The Music Man reimagined as a hip-hop rap. But, my favorite part of the awards is the acceptance speeches. Some may bring you to tears, though many are sure to thank the many teachers who inspired them. Neil Patrick Harris' speech closed with: "I would just like to say thank you to the people who inspire us creatively, like teachers... These are teachers in small town New Mexico who when sports was the only option, showed that creativity had a place in the world. Without them I would never be able to do any of this. So thank you so much!" Additionally, the Tony Awards announced a new collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University that will help recognize theatre educators making a difference across the country and build the next audience of theatre goers and theatre makers!

"Fanfare: The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. Get your week started right with the latest news in music education, as well as timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "Fanfare," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

Last week, 222 music educators from across the U.S. were recognized as quarterfinalists in the 2015 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. The GRAMMY Music Educator Award program began in 2012 and named its first recipient, Kent Knappenberger, late last year. Music for All is proud that 11 music teachers who participate in MFA programming were honored by the GRAMMY Foundation. More than 7,000 nominations from all 50 states were submitted this year. Semifinalists will be announced in September, with Finalists and the winner named in December.

In a middle school band, just the thought of performing could send a student into a panic attack. For several students in Florida, their nervousness likely went a step further. Phil Collins came out of semi-retirement last week to perform with the Miami Country Day School band, where his son attends. The British musician and singer-songwriter performed some of his hits with the middle school band. While definitely before any of the kids' times, I'm sure the kids had a blast playing with Collins. The performance has also generated plenty of press for the Miami Country Day School band, as this video had close to 285,000 views when this blog was posted. The performance, which you can view below, was Collins' first since 2010.

I can still remember vividly field trips in elementary school to the local symphony orchestra for matinee concerts. Musicians would also visit the school and introduce each of the different instruments and feature an instrument petting zoo for students who would then begin band the next year. For kids across the country, this is a common experience, including students across the Bay Area in California. 30,000 students visit the San Francisco Symphony each year, providing many their very first live music experience. The San Francisco Symphony also features an outreach initiative for underserved areas of the Silicon Valley called Concerts for Kids. Volunteers of the Silicon Valley League of the San Francisco Symphony bring students to concerts and introduce them to live classical music. Does your community feature a similar program? We'd love to hear about it – click here to tell us your story!

We have featured several articles and social media posts about the incredible work of Dr. Nina Kraus at Northwestern University, who has been a leader in researching the scientific benefits of musical instruction. A student of Dr. Kraus wrote this recent blog post explaining why scientific evidence is an excellent resource for making the case for music education. Jessica Slater states: "If a policy-maker isn’t swayed by music teachers telling them that the kids who play music seem to do better in school, perhaps they will listen to researchers saying that music training strengthens attention and memory skills, or improves the ability to hear a teacher in a noisy classroom, or the precision of neural responses to speech." If you're having trouble convincing a representative of the benefits of music education in your community, I encourage you to check out Ms. Slater's blog post for plenty of scientific research to make your case.

If you are not familiar with a YouTube phenomenon called "ASAPScience," I encourage you to click here, block out an hour or two of your time and learn the scientific reasoning behind tons of phenomenon in our society. From "The Science of Laziness" to "Which Came First: The Chicken or The Egg," ASAPScience is an easy way to learn more about our fascinating world. Last week, the creators of ASAPScience featured a post focusing on our ears and followed up with a moving video on how music can impact your life. They referenced clinical trials where playing music from each decade has helped brain injury patients regain some memories, as well as a trial where individuals associated the happiness/mood of a photo depending on what type of music was playing in the background. Watch the video for yourself below, and let us know if you think music can save a life!

For many students, music teachers are often the most impactful teacher in school. Whether it's the countless hours in rehearsal or the inspiration that music can spark, music teachers are a vehicle for student success and deserve to be recognized. This week, the GRAMMY Foundation announced the 222 quarterfinalists for the 2015 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Music for All is proud that 11 music teachers who participate in MFA programming were honored by the GRAMMY Foundation. The GRAMMY Music Educator Award was created in 2012 to recognize current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. After more than 7,000 nominations, 222 were selected as quarterfinalists. Those quarterfinalists are invited to send additional information to be considered for semifinalist, finalist and eventually the Music Educator Award recognition. Look for the seminifinalist announcement in the fall and the finalist and winning announcements in December. Finalists receive a $1,000 honorarium and the winner receives $10,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to be honored at the GRAMMY Awards next year.

Below are the 11 music teachers who participate in Music for All educational programs. If you know or were taught by any of the recognized teachers, be sure to thank them for their service!

"Fanfare: The Week in Music Education" is a weekly collection of news and stories about the latest in music education and music advocacy. Get your week started right with the latest news in music education, as well as timely music advocacy resources so that you may promote music education in your community. If you would like to share a story or announcement in "Fanfare," feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and it could be featured in an upcoming post.

Music for All's Strategic Advocacy Partner, NAMM, took over Capitol Hill last week for their annual D.C. Fly-In, meeting with Congress, celebrating the arts and promoting access to music education for all students. This year was NAMM's largest Fly-In, featuring 65 NAMM members, STEAM Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, auditory learning expert Dr. Nina Kraus, musician Bernie Williams and actor Doc Shaw. In the photo, you may recognize House Speaker John Boehner with GRAMMY Music Educator Award recipient Kent Knappenberger and other NAMM representatives, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, who's recent drum off with Will Ferrell on the Tonight Show has received over 17 million views. NAMM Members also took part in the White House Talent Show, where First Lady Michelle Obama announced an expansion of the successful Turnaround Arts initiative (see article below for more on Turnaround Arts).

In 2012, the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities launched the Turnaround Arts initiative to investigate the arts' impact on educational outcomes in low-performing schools. Major artists and entertainers "adopted" schools and helped lead increased access to arts education. In just two years, the program reported improvements in math and reading, as well as behavior and parental involvement. Last week, Michelle Obama announced the expansion of Turnaround Arts from eight schools to 35 in 10 states. Arts advocate Malissa Feruzzi Shriver provides a great breakdown of Turnaround Arts and why it is successful on Americans for the Arts' ARTSblog.

While many teachers and booster organizations already have budgets set for next year, budget concerns are seemingly continuous in the music wing of many schools. School Band & Orchestra Executive Editor Eliahu Sussman provided a thought-provoking commentary on the cost of music education in a recent issue. While we can all wish for unlimited budgets, the true cost of music ed can be a contentious topic. How much technology is needed in the band room? Do most students own their own instruments? We'd love to hear your thoughts on the cost of music education. Click here to tell us your story.

Connecticut music educator Kaela Crystal provided an excellent argument for music's important role in schools, especially those with STEM and Core Curriculum focus. "The chance to take real, non-standardized, creative risks in the music classroom is one of the greatest gifts we can give our students," said Crystal. Crystal found that even at a STEM Academy where she interned, creativity was vital. From inventions in a physics class to musical compositions, creativity helped develop integral 21st Century skills.

At a concert last week, the James Bowie H.S. Bands and director Kim Shuttlesworth were awarded the 2013 Sudler Shield, an international award given by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation for excellence in high school marching band. The band previously received the honor in 2005. The James Bowie H.S. Outdoor Performing Ensemble is a three-time Bands of America Grand National Finalist and the 2013 Texas Dairy Queen BOA Austin Regional Champion. Director Kim Shuttlesworth is also on the Drum Major Institute faculty at the MFA Summer Symposium. The band was notified of their honor at the Midwest Clinic in December. Congratulations to the entire Bowie Band!